St. Tammany Fire: Smoke the result of an electrical problem

Emergency responders evacuated 85 residents and employees from a Northshore retirement home Tuesday night after smoke triggered an alarm. There were no injuries, according to a St. Tammany Fire District 12 representative.

More than 40 firefighters from eight Northshore fire districts responded to the incident. It happened just after 7:15 p.m. Tuesday at The Trace at Claiborne Hill, a retirement home and assisted-living facility located just outside Covington.

Fire Districts 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12 and the City of Covington Fire Department all responded due to the nature of the facility. Emergency responders safely evacuated residents and employees.

"Had there been a severe fire, this had the potential to be a mass casualty incident with an extremely tragic outcome," said FD12 Deputy Chief Stephen Krentel. "In addition to our sense of relief, we can add pride in the way emergency response agencies collaborated to ensure a safe outcome."

Investigators believe overheating electrical components caused the smoke. Residents were able to return after the scene was declared under control.

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